So farewell Angela Merkel

She has been around for so long it is difficult to imagine Germany without Angela Merkel as Chancellor. She has been an immense political figure both for Germany and for the world stage. Judging by the closeness of the election and the candidates standing to replace her, Germany is going to go through a period of uncertainty and doutbful leadership. This at a time when the relationship between the US and Europe is still struggling after the four years of Donald Trump and eight months of Joe Biden who seems somewhat distanced from his European allies and hesitant about a lot of things except for his decision on Afghanistan. A new chancellor in Germany will complicate the dynamics both for the Americans and for the rest of Europe, including the UK of course. But mostly for France. Merkel and Macron have been ineresting and important bedfellows, and without Merkel's solid presence, Macron is going to flounder for a while until the new German leader shows his or her stripes. It will be less of a problem for Boris Johnson who seems set on building stronger and stronger relations with Biden to the detriment of European allies. That may be unfair but the way Boris has been smooching Biden in the last few days it seems clear where his loyalties lie even though the US president snubbed him over the hoped-for US/UK trade deal. Merkel meanwhile is contemplating her exit and desperately trying to boost the chances of a rather sombre-looking man as her replacement. Armin Laschet from Merkel's Christian Democratic Union party doesn't look a lot of fun but then Merkel could be pretty wooden-faced as well. But she was always a mighty figure, recognisable by her devotion to trouser suits. Laschet has only a small chance of winning but he could just make it. If he does will he and Macron become a dynamic duo? I think not. So farewell Angela Merkel, you will be missed.